1 / 10

10: The Matildas World Cup 2011 Our Asian Cup champions put aside some defensive woes to make it through the group stage at Germany 2011, but fell to Sweden in the last eight. A chance missed? Perhaps, but that’s two quarter finals finishes at consecutive World Cups. Lisa De Vanna, Kyah Simon, Emily van Egmond and Caitlin Foord all enhanced their reputations as our women’s national team – who, in a world first, were put on the cover of FourFourTwo Australia magazine that month – enjoyed a slice of the media spotlight. Honorable mention to the Socceroos for reaching the Asian Cup Final too.

2 / 10

9: The Socceroos defeat Die Mannschaft in Germany In a year of qualification into the final phase of World Cup qualifiers – albeit with a few hair-raising moments in Muscat and Bangkok – a transitional Socceroo squad largely impressed with their most satisfying result a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Germany, who nine months earlier effectively ended our chances of group qualification with a 4-0 win over a Pim Verbeek-led rabble of an Aussie side.

3 / 10

8: Aussie tours from Bhoys and Becks At a time when football was well into its longest ever off-season, Celtic charmed us all with their attitude – not to mention their fans - on the Bhoys’ three match tour of Sydney, Perth and Melbourne in July. The fans too reminded us about what it means to support your team. Oh, and LA Galaxy returned to play Melbourne Victory, giving football in this country – and in AFL dominated Victoria in particular - unprecedented coverage thanks largely to a 36-year-old beardy fella from Leytonstone who remains as popular as ever.

4 / 10

7: Ange’s Vision They may be struggling right now, but over 2011 it was Postecoglou’s football vision, philosophy and entertainment factor that has lifted the game’s standard to hitherto unseen levels with his fabulous football revolution at Roar. It’s set the bar for other teams too with Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Heart clearly heading in a similar direction.

5 / 10

6: A-League hype About time, too. Kewell and Emerton’s arrival onto the A-League scene provided a rare level of frenzied media focus – particularly for Harry who arrived at Melbourne airport like a rock star - while the FFA did their part launching the We Are Football campaign. And backing up the hype are Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners and, latterly, Melbourne Heart taking football to a new level.

6 / 10

5: Teenage fan club Mustafa Amini, Terry Antonis, Matt Ryan, Caitlin Foord. Proof we can still produce at youth level. Foord picked up FIFA Women’s World Cup and AFC gongs for best youth player. “Musti” now has a contract with Borussia Dortmund while “Tezza” has added another gear to Sydney FC’s midfield and Ryan has been faultless alongside Amini at high-flying Central Coast. Perhaps this time next year we’ll be talking about Liberian born wunderkind Teeboy Kamara?

7 / 10

4: Emperor and the Golman The problematic question of strike pairing for the Socceroos was been solved in 2011. “The Emperor” of J-League football Josh Kennedy and goal-merchant Brett Holman are now clearly in their prime as Socceroo. And they have become the starting front two combination, proving it on the park this year with a glut of goals and a partnership that just clicks.

8 / 10

3: McKay’s Rise From Roar to ‘Roos to Rangers, we’ve loved watching the Queenslander’s ascension from A-League stalwart to the national team. And the pleasing part was, the midfielder stepped up effortlessly into the ‘Roo engine room. Now we can’t do without him. Nice work Holger. You too, Ange. Now just to get his situation sorted at Rangers...

9 / 10

2: A-League Grand Final 2011 Put this game up against any – and we mean any – league in the world and it compares well for technical, tactical and individual quality. Add lashings of drama and 50,000 screaming Queenslanders and you’ve got an afternoon the game in this country can be very, very proud of.

10 / 10

1: The Melbourne Derby After derby v5 in December, the Melbourne Derby is now a must-see part of the sporting calendar in sports mad Victoria. This year some massive crowds (almost 67,000 for the two clashes this season alone) turned up. It's a real rivalry - not contrived - that has gone to another level this year with the most recent clash between Heart and Victory something very special.